Zinc-loaded montmorillonite alleviates avian pathogenic Escherichia coli-induced intestinal barrier damage in broiler chickens.

ABSTRACT: Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) significantly compromises the intestinal barrier of broiler chickens. This study evaluated the protective effects of zinc-loaded montmorillonite (Zn-MMT), an inorganic antibacterial compound, against APEC challenge in broiler chickens. A total of 180 1-d-old male Arbor Acres broilers were randomly divided into 3 groups with 6 replicates of 10 birds each. The treatment groups were: 1) the control group (basal diet); 2) the APEC-challenged group (basal diet); and 3) the Zn-MMT-supplemented group (basal diet + 1,000 mg/kg Zn-MMT). On day 14, groups 2 and 3 were orally challenged with APEC, while controls received sterile broth. Intergroup differences were assessed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's multiple comparison test. Compared with the APEC-challeng

SUBMITTER: Zha P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12552096 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature